Blog

The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS would like to clear up the confusion surrounding dental implants and crowns. Many people wonder what is the difference between an implant and a crown.  They can be combined in one procedure. And both can be used with other dental restorations.

Let’s clear up the confusion.

 A dental implant can work as a foundation for a crown.

A complete dental implant/crown procedure includes a strong metal post (artificial root), abutment (connecting piece), and a beautiful crown.

A crown can be used to protect a weakened tooth.

Removing decay weakens the tooth. Once the decay is removed, a filling may not be enough to restore necessary strength. Likewise, after a root canal procedure, the remaining tooth may need strengthening. A crown may be used in both of these scenarios. A strong, natural looking crown protects the remaining tooth and functions like a natural tooth

A crown can be attached to a dental bridge.

When a tooth has been taken out, a dental bridge may be used to restore part of it. The reason we say ‘part’ is because a dental bridge does not restore the root of the tooth. A crown can be used with a dental bridge to restore the visible part of the missing tooth. A dental bridge used to replace one tooth requires the removal of tooth structure from adjacent teeth. With a bridge, it requires three crowns to replace one missing tooth!

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS  sees this situation quite often.When a tooth’s nerve and pulp becomes infected, a dentist and patient must make a choice of whether to attempt to save the tooth by performing a root canal or to extract the tooth.

There are several factors that influence this decision. These include whether there is infection in the surrounding bone, the amount and condition of the remaining tooth structure, the strength of the supporting bone, and the presence of periodontal disease.

We remove the nerve and pulp of the tooth during a root canal procedur. This tissue contains veins, arteries and lymph vessels. The dentist or endodontist uses files of various sizes to clean out the canals. Once we clean out the roots and widen them, we will fill them with a special rubber material that seals them off.

The root canal is the first step in the complete tooth restoration. After the root canal, without a crown, the tooth will probably become dry and brittle. The final steps are the core build-up and crown. The crown protects what’s left of the tooth and allows normal function.

A root canal is frequently the most conservative treatment when a root is infected or a tooth has severe decay or damage. We have performed root canals with success for many patients and have a very low failure rate.

But there is always a slight possibility that a tooth with a root canal can have complications down the road. If there was a tiny crack in the treated tooth, it can become re-infected. Teeth with curved roots are more difficult to fill and they can also become re-infected. Occasionally, the tip of a file can break off in a root during the procedure and cause problems.

Because there is always a slight risk that a root canal can fail and eventually require extraction, some patients wonder if they should just get a dental implant in the first place. This is not a black and white decision. Like root canals, dental implants have a high success rate. But there are risks with dental implants, as well.

If you have been told that a root canal or a dental implant is necessary, talk with our team about the pros and cons of each procedure. We see ourselves as key members of your healthcare team and are dedicated to your physical, mental, and emotional health. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

An increasing number of Murray adolescents are sporting tongue, cheek, and lip piercings. The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS knows the dental health dangers your teen will face.

What if your teen asked you for permission to get an oral piercing?

The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS advises moms and dads to give a firm ‘No.’

HERE’S FIVE REASONS WHY TEENS SHOULD AVOID ORAL PIERCINGS:

1. Excessive drooling
2. Chipped teeth
3. Infection
4. Hypersensitivity to metal
5. Nerve damage

Let’s discuss these dangers in more detail.

DROOLING

Lip and tongue piercings let teenagers express their personality and creativity. But they can cause excessive drooling.

BROKEN TEETH

Another  reason to keep piercings away from your mouth, lips, and tongue, is because having any metal in your mouth can chip your teeth. This can happen while eating, drinking, or sleeping.

Does your teen already have a tooth that’s damaged? Take care of these cracks before the whole tooth is in danger.

Small chips in a teeth can be filled, or crowned. But often teenagers with piercings come in with more serious problems. These may mean a root canal or tooth extraction.

INFECTION

The mouth is a haven for bacteria. When tissue is pierced, bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Neglecting proper brushing habits can increase the risk. Touching the piercing with dirty hands can also introduce bacteria.

HYPERSENSITIVITY TO METAL

Metal piercings can result in a hypersensitivity to any metal in your mouth, such as silverware. Additionally, there is a risk of an allergic reaction at the piercing site.

NERVE DAMAGE

This is the scariest. Piercings put your child at risk of irreversible nerve damage. If the previous dangers don’t discourage your teen, this one should. Experiencing a numb tongue is usually temporary. But for some adolescents, it has become permanent.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

When your toddler complains of mouth pain, you want to relieve it as soon as possible. Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS is a leading family practice that emphasizes baby and toddler teeth and how to care for them

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF TODDLER ORAL PAIN

• Tooth decay
• Emerging teeth
• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Mouth sore or cut
• Sinus pain or earache
• Large fragment of food between two teeth

EXAMINE YOUR CHILD’S MOUTH

First, take a look in their mouth. If you see swollen gums, it indicates the general area of the issue. A large red bump near the tooth root could indicate an abscess.

If there is swelling in the gums, take your toddler to a pediatric dentist immediately.

You may see a piece of food caught between two teeth. Use a string of floss or a floss pick to remove it. The pain may not go away immediately, but if this was the source, it should go away within a couple hours.

If your youngster has a cavity, you may or may not be able to see it. Our team can locate small cavities or those hidden between two teeth.

Make an appointment with us in the unlikely event that your child has a cracked or chipped tooth.

IF THE PAIN IS CAUSED BY TEETHING

If your child has a runny nose and seems unusually irritable, they might be teething. A cold (not frozen) teething ring can help relieve the pain. You can also gently rub their gums with your finger. You can also let your youngster gnaw on a cold carrot or other hard vegetable. Make sure you monitor closely so they don’t bite off a chunk they can choke on.

Note that teething only causes a low-grade fever. If your youngster has a fever over 100 F or diarrhea, take them to a pediatrician right away.

PEDIATRIC DENTIST OR PEDIATRICIAN?

To recap:

If you suspect the pain is caused by a cavity, abscess, or broken tooth, call us to set up an appointment.

If you can’t see the source of the pain but your little one has a high fever, diarrhea, or swelling in the cheek, take them to your pediatrician ASAP.

We provide experienced, gentle dentistry to our young patients in the Murray area. If you are looking for a children’s dentist, we invite you to schedule a consultation.

We see ourselves as key members of your healthcare team and are dedicated to your physical, mental, and emotional health. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS wants to discuss how are Americans doing when it comes to the dental health of the 65+ population.

The Good News:

The rate of decay in the elderly has decreased in the past thirty years.¹

The Bad News:

• 25% of persons age 65+ have no remaining teeth²
• Nearly 20% have untreated decay³
• 10% of adults 65 and over have moderate to severe periodontal disease.
• Advanced gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease

Clearly, there is room for improvement. What important factors will improve the oral health of age 65+ Americans? The National Institutes of Health cite three needed components:

• Improved oral health education for the elderly
• Seniors practicing effective daily oral hygiene
• Increased access to dental care¹

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we are committed to providing our elderly patients with comprehensive oral health education and attentive care that addresses the special challenges that influence seniors. These challenges include difficulty brushing and flossing due to arthritis, dry mouth caused by prescription medications, tooth sensitivity, bone recession, and complications due to diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

We want our elderly patients to not only have a healthy smile, but a beautiful one as well. Many of our senior patients have elected to improve their smiles with services such as crowns, inlays/onlays, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, dental implants, and tooth whitening. The majority of our cosmetic dental smile makeover patients are thrilled with their new smile and report that it has improved their life immensely. They feel happier, more attractive, and more confident in social settings.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Today the team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS examines eruption charts.

An eruption chart is simply a listing of the different types of teeth in the mouth and when, typically, they come out, or ‘erupt’ from the gums. An eruption chart tells you when you can expect baby teeth to erupt and fall out.

Dentists use these charts to compare the development of their patients’ teeth to the average times in the population.

The friendly staff here would love to schedule an appointment with you and answer any questions you have about children’s teeth eruption times, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, thumbsucking, and athletic mouthguards.

If you have a toddler who has not yet had their first dental exam, we encourage you to schedule an appointment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that dental visits should begin before the first birthday.

A beautiful, healthy smile boosts confidence and self-esteem for kids. A healthy mouth equals better overall health and well-being. Maintaining optimal oral health puts children at a lower risk for diabetes and heart disease.

When kids develop healthy oral practices, you avoid the need for costly restorative dental work down the road. Strong teeth help babies get proper nutrition.

We provide experienced, gentle dentistry to our young patients in the Murray area. If you are looking for a children’s dentist, we invite you to schedule a consultation.

We see ourselves as key members of your healthcare team and are dedicated to your physical, mental, and emotional health. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS  we provide comprehensive full service dentistry for patients in Salt Lake City and surrounding communities. Quality dental care and cosmetic dental procedures can be extremely visible -think porcelain veneers, dental crowns, and teeth whitening.

Today, however, let’s talk about some unseen procedures that can contribute to a healthy, dazzling smile. We will discuss 3 incredible cosmetic dental treatments: white fillings, invisible braces, and dental implants

WHITE FILLINGS

We tailor tooth-colored fillings to blend seamlessly with your natural tooth color. These are made out of strong composite resins and porcelains. If you would like to get rid of the silver amalgam fillings in your teeth, white fillings are the solution. You can’t go back and get rid of those cavities, but you can make the silver disappear.

INVISIBLE BRACES

Straightening your teeth with orthodontia has become less of a metal mouth experience with the availability of invisible braces. You wear custom invisible braces either over teeth or behind the teeth. Invisible braces are effective and convenient. They have helped many people straighten their teeth for an improvement in their smile.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Sure, the crown of a tooth implant is clearly visible. But the important part, which is the component that makes them so much stronger than a dental bridge, is anchored into your jawbone. A titanium post secures your restoration to offer the look, feel, and strength of a natural tooth. If you are missing one or more teeth, consider dental implants.

Whether you need an examination or a dental implants, at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS we’ll get you smiling again.  The dental health of each patient is always our top priority.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

It may surprise you to know that some people have very strong opinions about which type of toothbrush is the best: manual or electric. The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS in Murray hears this question a lot.

Is there really one that is clearly better?

Most dentists will tell you that all toothbrushes, when used thoroughly, are effective at removing plaque. Choosing which kind you prefer is really up to you.

Today, we want to give you some extra information about toothbrushes to help you pick which kind is right for you or your child.

Toothbrush Choice – Manual vs Electric

You need to consider cost and convenience. Some people argue that even though electric toothbrushes are more costly, you’ll save on dental bills. However, there are no definitive studies to back up this claim.

Manual toothbrushes are easy to find, whereas not all drugstores carry all types of electric toothbrushes. This can be difficult when buying replacement heads. People who travel may find that a smaller, manual toothbrush is easier to pack (and batteries are not required).

The pressure you put on your gums with either type of toothbrush is essential. Some people say that it’s difficult to know how much pressure they use with electric toothbrushes, while others say that because of the quick electrical movements, they tend to be more gentle on their gums than when they use manual brushes. You may want to try them both to identify your brushing style. Then you can discuss it with your dentist.

Special consideration should be taken for people with arthritis. Most dentists guide their elderly and arthritic patients to use electric toothbrushes when their manual dexterity is diminished. As for children, once they are old enough, an electric toothbrush may be preferable, but safety should always be the first concern of parents.

Whichever type of toothbrush you choose, make sure you get soft bristles and replace it every three to four months.

We see ourselves as key members of your healthcare team and are dedicated to your physical, mental, and emotional health. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS performs complete smile re-designs that turn ordinary teeth (or even teeth with  problems) into stunning smiles. If you have been considering a smile makeover, you probably want to know if you will still look like yourself.

The answer is “Yes! Only better!” You see, our team uses nature as a guide—nature at its best—when improving smiles. It is important to bring your entire face into harmony when designing a smile makeover. Here are a few:

• Tooth Shape – includes proportion and alignment
• Teeth Size – this also includes the unique dimensions of the spaces between the teeth
• Tooth Color – hue, value, intensity, and color variations between teeth
• Bite – how upper and lower teeth fit together
• Gumline – shape and color
• Face Shape and Bone Structure
• Skin Tone
• Lips – color, shape, size
• Age
• Gender

This list is not complete but gives you an idea of the complexity of smile makeovers. Though advanced cosmetic dentistry is multifaceted, it follows the esthetic principles expressed in naturally beautiful smiles.

But you don’t have to worry about midlines and microesthetics because we are devoted to the details. We invite you to schedule a smile design consultation to speak with our team about your current smile and the brilliant smile you desire.

Visit Us Once and You’ll Be A Patient For Life

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

385-217-9145

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107